Welcome
We are a successful school dedicated to ensuring every child can ASPIRE to Excellence both academically and personally.
Why Kingswinford?
Here at Kingswinford Academy we are extremely proud of being at the heart of a wonderful community that supports students through this most critical time in their education. The school is long-established and highperforming; since its inception in 1936, Kingswinford Academy has been a centre of education excellence. This has been even further embedded since the school joined the progressive and innovative Windsor Academy Trust in 2016. The school has moved from strength to strength. We work to ensure all students and staff can ‘ASPIRE to Excellence’ in all that they do.
We have always been determined to offer an exceptional educational experience for young people and, with the Trust’s deep support, we can take that commitment even further. At Kingswinford we believe that, whilst academic achievement is critically important, education is about the whole child. Consequently, we consider the education of the character, happiness and safety of children to be at least as important as their academic progress. We want our young people to fulfil both their academic and personal potential.
ASPIRE
We invite all of our students to ASPIRE to Excellence; we design experiences to build their character virtues that ensure our students are respectful; responsible; resilient; creative; compassionate; and courageous.
Our students develop explicit learner skills to help them for the rest of their lives. They are organised; can become unstuck; self-quiz; give and receive feedback; are collaborative; and can communicate clearly.
By building these ASPIRE virtues and skills we know our students will ASPIRE to Excellence both in school and throughout their lives. Their journey through Kingswinford Academy will lead them to be successful, form lifelong friendships, be happy and have fun.
I look forward to welcoming you to Kingswinford Academy, to serving you as Headteacher of your child’s secondary school and to seeing your child fulfil, and hopefully exceed, their full potential.
Ian Moreton Headteacher
ASPIRE to Excellence
An exceptional place to learn
Our school is at the heart of the community and provides a safe and welcoming environment for all students that enables them to learn, grow and develop.
A huge range of extracurricular activities
All students have the chance to take part in a huge range of extracurricular and enrichment activities that enable students to learn and develop a wide range of skills and their personal potential.
Strong and increasing achievement
Students make good progress and our school is ranked among the best schools in Dudley for achievement. Performance in GCSE and other measures has increased for the past three years.
Rated Good by Ofsted
With inspectors noting our ‘relentless drive to improve student outcomes’ and how students are ‘proud of their school and the opportunities they have’.
Recommended by Parents and Students
What do parents and students think of our school? See for yourself below!
“If any parents are looking for what’s best for their child in terms of a quality education that will lead to a great future, Kingswinford Academy is the place to choose.”
— Joyce, Year 7 and 9 Parent
“I really
enjoy being here. The teachers are great and I get a good education”
— Year 7 Student
“Being at Kingswinford has helped me to grow as a person and develop my confidence, and find out who I really am.”
— Year 10 Student
“Kingswinford
is
a
brilliant school. The students are well mannered, the school is always there if you need help or support and all the staff are welcoming, polite and helpful”
— Wendy, Year 8 Parent
Helping Students to ASPIRE to Excellence
We help students to ASPIRE to Excellence in all that they do. At our school, this means ensuring students aspire to be exceptional learners, as well as being wonderful people.
We focus on much more than just academic success. Our goal is to unlock students’ academic and personal potential, and we achieve this through brilliant teaching, outstanding extracurricular opportunities, and a challenging and supportive learning environment that raises aspirations.
We expect students to make exceptional progress and our unique ASPIRE framework drives our culture of high aspirations. This develops our students’ character virtues and learner skills to become the best learners and best people they can be in every lesson, every day.
We are dedicated to supporting every individual and are renowned for our wonderful sense of community. This helps students settle quickly, provides outstanding support and enables students to thrive.
Our brilliant teaching and learning is powered up by digital technology to provide students with the essential skills they need in a rapidly changing and digital world. Our teachers create inspiring learning experiences through the use of technology and iPads for Learning - a partnership with parents which provides students with an iPad to use in school and at home as part of their learning.
Learning at our school goes way beyond the classroom. Students have the opportunity to take part in a wide range of extracurricular activities and incredible opportunities. This includes residential trips across the UK and Europe, competing in sport and performing in live shows, to name just a few.
Our Students ASPIRE
Our ASPIRE framework develops both the academic and personal potential of our students.
Learning Beyond the Classroom
Learning extends beyond the classroom with a wide range of extracurricular activities, trips, sports and performing arts.
A Caring Community
Students at Kingswinford feel safe, happy and valued. Our caring community ensures that children settle into life quickly at our school, make friends and enjoy themselves.
We understand that joining secondary school is a big step for children and parents. That’s why we offer a comprehensive transition programme to help students get off to the best possible start. Our transition events allow parents and students to meet our senior leadership and pastoral teams, learn about life at our school and get essential information. In addition, at our transition day and summer school, students take part in taster lessons and make new friends.
At Kingswinford, everybody cares. Respect underpins all of our relationships. We strive for students to develop a culture of respect and responsibility for themselves, others, and the community. Through our house system, we create a sense of community within the school.
Our dedicated staff develop a deep understanding of each student’s needs, desires and challenges to tailor the guidance and support we offer. A Head of House leads each house with the support of Form Tutors and a member of the Senior Team.
Our house system encourages friendly competition. Inter-house competitions take place throughout the year alongside charity work, talent contests and a range of other opportunities for students to take pride in themselves and their community.
Our special educational needs team offers more direct support where needed, ensuring that every child’s needs are met. Their tremendous skill and expertise mean that our SEND students’ progress and happiness in school is incredible.
Life at Kingswinford is more than just academic achievement; it is about developing self and character. Children develop during their time at our school and leave as young adults. This is achieved through a determination to support, safeguard and nurture the whole child.
In doing so, we believe we further enhance a student’s ability to be successful in every way. Our programme of support and guidance is focused on developing respect, responsibility and character in everything that we do.
Helping Students Settle
Our transition programme helps students settle quickly into secondary school life and get off to the best possible start.
Exceptional Student Support
Our large pastoral team support the needs of all students throughout their time at our school.
“Parents and carers are happy with the school and speak highly of the care it provides for young people.” - Ofsted, 2019
Inspiring Teaching and Learning
We aim to engage, enthuse and inspire in every lesson, every day. We are committed to providing the highest quality learning experience that enables students to thrive and make strong progress in every lesson.
Our talented, committed teachers inspire students and encourage creativity and curiosity. Smart Starts provide thought-provoking activities to start each lesson, and our High Challenge for All approach stretches students and encourages them to aim high. Students are encouraged to review previous learning regularly, and our personalised feedback approach increases progression and develops independent learners.
Our curriculum is full of diversity and challenge that generates a love of learning. The curriculum builds on learning from primary school and focuses on mastering key skills in each subject, with emphasis placed on dedicated review and reflection time.
Our curriculum is powered up by digital technology to provide a 21stcentury learning experience that maximises progress and provides students with the essential digital skills they need for their future.
Students will study in a digitally-rich environment with computer suites, interactive whiteboards and digital tools, including G-Suite for Education and Apple Classroom.
1:1 Digital Learning - Providing free iPads to students
Our 1:1 digital learning approach provides all students with their own iPad to use in school and at home.
Taking place across all schools in the Windsor Academy Trust family, the initiative is part of our a shared commitment to unlocking academic and personal potential.
1:1 digital learning is fully embedded into our curriculum to provide inspiring learning experiences that maximise learning and progress in and outside the classroom.
Alongside this, students develop their initiative, independence and resilience to become the best learners and best people they can be.
Our curriculum provides students with the essential digital skills they need for their future. Powered by
High Aspirations
We have a culture of high aspirations and stretch and challenge students to maximise their progress.
Outstanding Opportunities
Our students have access to outstanding opportunities that extend learning beyond the classroom and support their development.
The WAT Pledge is our promise to students of 12 experiences/ accomplishments that they will achieve before leaving school. These include cultural, educational and personal development experiences that stretch and challenge students to unlock their personal potential. Within our houses, students participate in inter-house competitions and participate in a wide range of activities such as charity work. In addition, our extensive extracurricular programme enables students to develop new skills and follow their passions, and there is the opportunity to participate in a wide range of sports, including football, rugby, netball, hockey, trampolining, gymnastics, badminton and darts (to name a few!).
For students interested in performing, our music shows, dance showcases and whole school productions provide the perfect stage to showcase their talents.
Students can all visit the theatre and take part in residential trips in the UK and across Europe. For those with a more adventurous style, we run a Duke of Edinburgh programme and have a regular school ski trip - students have even been to Borneo with the school!
Even more outstanding opportunities are provided as part of the Windsor Academy Trust family, where we work closely with other schools to offer a range of activities, leadership opportunities and trips that students can participate in.
Our Promise to Students
The WAT Pledge guarantees students will achieve 12 experiences/accomplishments before they leave school.
Residential Trips
Students have the opportunity to travel and take part in residential trips in the UK and across Europe.
Preparing Students for their Next Step
In addition to helping students succeed, we ensure they are prepared for their next step, whether progressing to sixth form or college, doing an apprenticeship, or starting their career.
Our careers curriculum raises aspirations and provides students with the tools to explore their options and gain information about careers. Students hear from a range of speakers throughout the year and participate in various activities such as careers and enterprise challenges and work experience.
How to Apply to Join our School
Admissions to our school are handled by Dudley Council.
You will be contacted directly by the council to apply for a place in Year 7 and can apply online or by completing a paper application form. The council will then contact you in March to inform you which school your child has been allocated to.
The timeline on the right shows the key stages of the application process.
Admissions Timeline
1 September 2024
30 September,
1 & 2 October 2024, 9am to 10am
26 September 2024, 5pm to 8pm
Applications Open
Apply online or by completing a paper application form.
Visit
Our
Open Mornings
Visit us during the school day to see what life at our school is like.
Visit Our Open Evening
Gain a real experience of our school and find out if Kingswinford Academy is right for your child.
31 October 2024
Applications Close
Make sure you get your application in before this date!
3 March 2025
Offers Sent to Parents
The Council will contact you to let you know which school your child has been allocated to.
Visit Our School
There’s no better way to experience Kingswinford Academy and to find out if it is the right school for your child than by visiting us.
Visit Our Open Evening and Open Mornings
Our open evening and open mornings provide the ideal opportunity to visit our school. This year, they take place at the following times:
• Open Mornings - 30 September, 1 & 2 October, 9am to 10am
• Open Evening - 26 September, 5pm to 8pm
Find out more at kingswinfordacademy.org.uk/open-events
Arrange a Visit
If you can’t make one of our open events you can arrange a school visit. To arrange your visit, simply scan the QR code below.
Part of the Windsor Academy Trust Family
At Windsor Academy Trust, we take pride in our vibrant community of 15 schools, where we are dedicated to more than just academic excellence. As part of the WAT Family, our 10,000 students and 1,300 staff members are engaged in a shared journey towards unlocking the full potential of every learner.
In our secondary schools, we celebrate our prowess in critical academic areas like the ‘Use of English’, where our students consistently demonstrate superior language and communication skills. Beyond the classroom, our rich array of extracurricular activities plays a crucial role in nurturing diverse talents,
enabling students to explore their interests and develop new skills in a supportive and dynamic environment.
As a part of the WAT Family, every student benefits from an education that holistically addresses their academic, social, and personal development. We believe in empowering our students to excel in their pursuits and contribute meaningfully to their communities. Our commitment to this holistic approach is evident in how we enable each student to thrive, blending rigorous academic standards with a wide spectrum of extracurricular opportunities to unlock each individual’s academic and personal potential.
Joining a secondary academy within Windsor Academy Trust means becoming part of a family that values each student’s journey towards academic achievement and personal growth. Together, we unlock potential and inspire futures.
Dawn Haywood CEO, Windsor Academy Trust
We are incredibly proud to be part of the Windsor Academy Trust family.
